Cannabis history

FEB.17, 2017 - GREEN LIGHT FOR CANNABIS-BASED MS MEDICINE (GIBRALTAR)

The Gibraltar Government
has changed drug regulations to allow doctors to prescribe the
cannabis-based medicine ‘Sativex’.The cannabis-based oral
spray treats symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis and has also been
approved for healthcare use in the UK.The decision means MS
patients will now have access to this medicine, while doctors can
prescribe it without any doubts about the law.The medicine has
been prescribed here on a small number of occasions in the past but
doctors had expressed concern about the law, which regards cannabis
as an illegal drug.Earlier this month the Drugs Advisory Council,
the statutory body that advises the Government on the misuse of drugs
and is chaired by the Minister with responsibility for drug and
alcohol awareness and rehabilitation, Samantha Sacramento, discussed
concerns as to the manner in which certain cannabis based medicinal
products are available for prescription in Gibraltar.The Chair of
the Advisory Council asked for advice as to the use of cannabis based
medicinal products as well as for absolute clarity as to the
prescription of cannabinols that were currently prescribed by the
GHA.